San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-30


She had little hope that Mrs. Langley
would be engaged; she felt certain that
that astute matron had calculated on the
likelihood of A blot sleigh receiving guests
this autumn, and would take good care to
hold herself and Valerie free for an invita-
ton.
Would Max-even knowing what he did
-nnd having SO high standard Of woman.
ly dignity-be proof against the wiles Of
such siren as Valerie HERBERT
CHAP. xxxv.-INvITED TO ABBoT's LEIGH.
LADY Elinor Beauregard-Colonel Beau.
regard, announced the footman, throwing
open the drawing-room door in Upper
Brook Street; and Mrs. Langley, who was
alone, rose, and went forward with out
stretched hands.
place dur homrnes. this time;" she
said, laughingly, to Lady Elinor, as she
gave Max first greeting. How good Of
You to come so soon, Colonel Beauregardl
/ am SO sorry" kissing Lady Elinor, that
Valerie is out; but expect her home very
shortly. She went to the Grosvenor with
Mrs. Dudley"
Then we may hope for the pleasure Of
seeing her. Now, Mrs. Langley" cried
Lady Elinor-the two ladies were seated
side by side-'are you and Valerie Olsen.
gagged for three weeks from the twenty
fifth of JulyF"
81 think So" said Mrs Langley, though
she knew perfectly well. Let me see"
and she took up a little book from table
near, and glanced through its pages. Eyes"
she said, I'VE are"
Then please book the date for Abbot's
Leigh. We mean to have a small party
this year of friends, whom one can ask to
stop longer than few days, and who can
be happy without dances and private the
atricals, which, of course, we cannot have
yet"
I'VE shall be delighted, )" said Mrs Lang
ley, wondering If Colonel Beauregard de-
sired this, or only yielded to his sister-in-
laws wishes. II thought heard car
rage stop" she added; "that is Valerie"
How, she asked herself, in some trepida-
ton, would the young lady receive Colonel
Beauregardi Mrs Langley had carefully
abstained from speaking of him as posi-
BILE portt; but surely the girl could not be
80 perverse as to snub himi
And newell, for year he had not seen
Valerie, and now she was coming; yet there
was no change In his face, even when her
hand touched the door-handle.
The door opened, and she came in-the
FAIRY Queen" with gray Gainsborough
hat above her glittering curls and dress
Of gray satin and plush; In her left hand
she held her gloves-and for second she
paused, and a curious half-reckless ex-
preston, that had been on her face at the
moment she entered the room, gave way
to something softer-a blending of shame
and dread-as Max Beauregard rose and
went forward to meet her, and a light color
rose in her cheek. Her large gray eyes
al avs, in his heart, looking into his-did
not meet them now. She gave him her
hand, and he felt it tremble in his clasp.
and the color in her cheek deepened.
"They told me-" she said, little hur-
riedly, that you and Lady Elinor were
here. How do you do, Colonel Beaure-
gardr'
Certainly not a more cordial greeting
than she had accorded more than a year
ago to Max Beauregard, the younger son;
but to him this was sign that the girls
better nature would assert itself. She
could not meet him face to face and greet
him with ordinary cordially, knowing
what her intention was, and that he must
know it too. And only that she was in
some sort prepared for the TencOntre, her
confusion would probably have been much
more apparent. She was but an appren-
tice in the matchmaking school, poor
childI
1--WE are fortunate not to have missed
seeing you," Max said, gently, for dare
say Mrs. Dudley wanted to run off with
you"
She did! am glad didn't CO." said
Valerie, laughing, and crossing the room
as she spoke to shake hands with Lady FL
inor.
and now iCe are going to carry you of,
my dearp' exclaimed that lady, thinking
with dismay. even while she spoke, that
Valerie looked distractingly lovely.
Garry me off-wheref" repeated the
girl, looking quickly from the speaker to
her aunt.
Not now" explained Mrs Langley,
but in the end of July. Lady Elinor has
invited us to stay at Abbot's Leigh for
three weeks, and you will be delighted to
hear that have accepted the invitation"
1t was well for Valerie that she had 40
quired in the fashionable world no small
measure of self-command, and was able to
reply, with ready smile and words, turning
to Lady Elinor:
How kind of you'll That will be great
pleasurer'
"And as Valerie has never seen Abbot's
Leigh" said Mrs. Langley, turning to
Beauregard, "she will have to be restricted
in her rovings among its treasures"
II hope not" he said, smiling, "only l
imagine her tours of inspection would be
something like a royal progress. And re-
member, Valerie, that you need not bring
your horse with you. have three beau.
ties, pure-bred Arabs, for you to choose
from; but one Of the three, If you allow me
TO make the choice, will especially suit
you"
Thanks, so much. OF course would
accept your choice-you would know best
in such case"